[Updated] Following a meeting today about the proposed concessions at Shelly Bay, it has apparently been agreed that it is “acceptable for a food truck/lunch wagon could be located in the grassy area adjoining the parking lot, but no vendors will be located on the beach.”

This is according to LaVerne Furbert, who told Bernews, “Our group met earlier today with Ministers David Burch and Jamahl Simmons and it was agreed that Shelly Bay Beach will not be included in the BTA’s Beach Vision.

“We agreed that it would be acceptable for a food truck/lunch wagon could be located in the grassy area adjoining the parking lot, but no vendors will be located on the beach.”

Ms Furbert said that in addition to the two Ministers — who handle the Tourism & Economic Development and Public Works Ministries — others who took part in the meeting included MP Derrick Burgess, MP Tinee Furbert, Alan Smith, Cheryl Ann Griffin and Esme Williams.

The topic of having concessions at Shelly Bay has been discussed lately, with the BTA in favour of the concept, while some have opposed it, and today’s meeting was held in advance of this evening’s event, in which the Bermuda Tourism Authority has invited the community to Shelly Bay Park “to experience a planned temporary concession area.”

We have reached out to the Bermuda Tourism Authority and Ministry of Tourism for comment and will update as able, and we also plan to live stream from this evening’s event at Shelly Bay.

I met with more than one tourist at Shelly Bay last week who had been going there for over 30 years, and who were very much against all the changes and who wanted the development stopped. I gave them the info to contact BTA so they could get their say.

Ya, its called cheap labour in the disguise of nannies, chefs, landscapers,farm labourers and construction workers. But I wont allow you Right Wing liberals to disrespect my ancestors for the era they lived in and thanks to Organized Labour we as a People wont go through that $#!+ again in this Island. Who’s de ignorant fool now?

OK son, anything else you want to get off of your chest? No, I am not Onion Juice, I am in no way affiliated with him & there are actually times I don’t agree with him. However, nowhere in any of my posts or statements on Bernews would give an impression of where I stand on the unrelated topics you bring up. So, this makes me question why you would run off at the mouth randomly accusing me of things you have no clue of.

I have no fear of homosexuals so no, I am not homophobic.

I am regularly in mixed circles of all races as I have no preference either way or the other. You would never see or hear me judge anyone based on their race, so I am by no means racist.

You have no clue if I am a male or female, so how could you call me a misogynist?

You’re calling me a bigot yet you’re on this insult tirade on the sole grounds that I called you out for calling someone childish all while you were childishly mocking him?

If you would have paid attention to any of my political posts, you would know that I hold no political position as far as parties go. I have criticized the shortcomings & achievements of both parties equally. Had you of known me as you claim to based off of the unfunded insults you have thrown my way, you would know that I actually don’t like party politics & think it does nothing more than stagnate the progress of the island as a whole.

One thing I can 100% stand up & say that I am in no way a Trump supporter.

So, there you go, you’re 0/8 in your insults, you, however, did prove my original point on your mindset though.

SO DEPRESSING! It feels like old school backroom politics prevailing over a respectful forward thinking creative initiative. Why cant the make way for the future, they are holding us back from being a better island.

How is it that LaVerne and the others were given such a platform to speak and then protest and then go directly to Burch? Its beyond insane. She will protest anything and the PLP will listen. There is no democracy in Bermuda anymore.

So good ol’ LeVerne went to her gummit buddies. Unfortunately, BTA I believe has the final say.

Although I agree Shelly Bay should be left alone. I get it. There’s not much public beaches in central. All the good beaches are private property to the “Other Bermuda”. You wouldn’t believe how many good beaches are privately owned.

Soooo this means that once again, young Bermudian entrepreneurs have their ideas trampled on just to appease those who are terrified of change and to also show their ignorance as to how the economy works. And one wonders why our young men and women are leaving our shores to find a better life!

have a look at Tobacco Bay. While it is great that there’s a successful business there, the beach is totally unlike what it was. No longer a peaceful respite, it’s now packed with loungers, blasting music and full of party-goers at the concession, and the parking’s impossible. I think an open bar is not a good idea at the beach. Perhaps it could be moved away from the area where tourists/locals just want to enjoy the sea and sand.

Unfortunately that’s what tourists want. Beach side bar/restaurants have always been popular with the tourists (and locals alike). Unfortunately that’s not what the locals want – and by doing that you keep the place chronically boring. Visitors don’t want quiet idyllic beaches – they want something to do as well as lounge.

If anyone wants Bermuda to revive its’ tourist model, being able to sit next to a beach, drink a beer and rent a kayak is key to their enjoyment of the island. Don’t send them to another beach – it won’t work. People are lazy and if you snub them at beach 1, they’re unlikely to be interested in beach 2.

Thank you, Pondering, for bringing up Tobacco Bay which is another example of a beach being ruined. It has been encouraging to finally see Bermudians objecting to one of our most valuable resources, our beaches, being destroyed by over commercialization. Be very vigilant and watch out for the next beach that will be designated for entrepreneurs. Keep our beaches beautiful to avoid becoming environmental disasters like Horseshoe Bay and Tobacco Bay.

As far as Lavern is concerned I believe her issue is personal as she can’t stand Kevin Dallas I believe had there been another individual who looked like her and was the head of the BTA the outcome would hv been different One minute it’s all about young Black Bermudians getting ahead now their own is slapping them in the face. Let’s see which beach is protested next. Will they fight as hard Probley not

If there was a way to stop economic growth, or encourage Bermudian youngsters to get off their backsides and make a little bit of cash during the holidays with a lemonade or ice cone stand this is not the way to do it. People go on about two Bermudas’. This type of selfishness is one cause. I don’t have a say though, I live east of Whitehill. What a joke

Is that it! All this backlash against those that took a stand on behalf of the community. I for one, (and there are at least 1500 others that we know of) are very grateful to those who stuck their necks out on our behalf. On behalf of our children, grandchildren, Hamilton Parish residents and the peoples of Bermuda, we thank you.

Success isn’t always green. As a community of people, we have compromised too many of our values chasing the dollar.

Way to go Lavereneeeeee! You and Cornel Major “Sleepy” Burch should solve all the world’s problems with your narrow minded tactics. If the BTA was a PLP idea (like they could have a good one) you’d be down there with balloons saying how wonderful it is! You two would not recognize progress if it said hi to your face

While I am not necessarily in favour of adding much commerce to Shelly Bay (maybe in a limited way), I do not agree with the process that Laverne Furbert and cronies have used, that is, bypass direct consultation and negotiations by going to Cabinet friends and seeking favour.

BTA comes up with their vision of what they want at Shelly Bay and goes ahead with all the planning as if it is “done deal”. They line up potential vendors and make promises to them of financial assistance which in turn has the vendors investing some of their own money in preparation for final approval. BTA knows their version/vision is almost guaranteed to get approval before they announce it. Working for or with the BTA is the most lucrative position on and off the island!